Agriculture Ministry Purchases ITS Hybrid Corn Seeds for Rp10 Billion to Boost Production

The Ministry of Agriculture has purchased hybrid corn seeds innovated by the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) for Rp10 billion to meet planting needs across 13,000 hectares as part of efforts to increase national corn production. Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated in Jakarta on Wednesday that the seeds will be distributed free of charge to farmers so that university innovations can be immediately applied in the field. He said the purchase is part of the government’s strategy to accelerate the increase in national corn production through the utilisation of domestic technology. Amran noted that the ITS hybrid corn seeds have a productivity potential of around 10 tonnes per hectare with proper cultivation practices, higher than the national average. He added that increasing productivity is the main strategy for strengthening food security without having to expand planting areas, which requires large investment. He emphasised that this step aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive for university research results to be utilised as real solutions for the nation’s agricultural development. ITS corn seed breeder Muryono said the MTE 09 corn seeds are ready for mass production starting in October to meet the needs of farmers in various regions. According to him, with the application of proper standard operating procedures for cultivation, the seed productivity has the potential to be increased to around 20 tonnes per hectare. ITS Rector Bambang Pramujati stated that the institute is ready to support the food self-sufficiency programme through the development of superior seeds, agricultural mechanisation, and other technological innovations.